9.22.2012

Final day in Istanbul


Our final day in Istanbul was an easy one.  This has been an amazing vacation and it was nice to take the last day to keep things simple.  After talking to a couple who visited the palace, we felt like we should try it again.  This time we found the ticket counter!  We walked through the Haram quarters where girls from neighboring villages were bought from their parents or given as gifts from nobles, and sent to live at the palace. 

The palace grounds were very busy and lines were around every corner.  We chose to wait in one line to enter a treasury containing what they said was St. John the Baptist’s arm covered with gold, his skull encrusted with jewels, David’s sword, and Moses’ staff.  We saw a sword, a staff, an arm bone covered with a golden glove, and a portion of a skull covered with jewels.  Were all of these things actually real relics?  Umm, I’m going to go ahead and say no!
 
 
And of course, there were ice cream breaks!
 
The day ended with some Turkish Pizza and an early night.  After 10 days, 9 nights, 8 cities, 6 flights, 5 apartments, 4 people, 2 countries, 2 suitcases, there was 1 family ready to get back to Italy!

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